All-School Camping Trip
Scattergood’s first all-school camping trip took place in October of 1944. Today, the school community continues to enjoy this tradition each fall. Students and staff spend three tech-free days and two nights tent camping at a local state park. This time is largely unstructured with optional activities offered and plenty of time for lounging in hammocks, fishing, hiking, playing games, and making s’mores by the fire.
Winter Olympics
In the midst of the midwest winter we take an afternoon off for some silliness and sport. The annual class olympics challenge students to a variety of team and individual contests ranging from building a snow sculpture to a modified game of Hungry Hungry Hippo on the frozen pond.
Faculty Follies
Faculty Follies is an annual event that is planned in secret by staff members to surprise and delight students. Often this event involves transforming a space on campus, making an elaborate themed meal, and putting on some sort of entertainment. In years past we’ve enjoyed Medieval, 50’s sock hop, 80’s rock band, and Alice in Wonderland themed follies.
Senior Week Projects
Senior week is a time each spring when all other students are off on week-long trips and the seniors stay behind to plan and execute a campus improvement project or projects as their class legacy. In past years these projects have involved painting murals in the social room and student lounge, creating a cozy patio off of the Art Building, and building a deck outside of our Main Building.
Birthdays
Scattergood has a longstanding tradition which celebrates a student’s special day during lunch when the whole community is gathered. Lunch begins with an announcement and presentation of a cake or other treat made by the student’s advisor or mentor. Upon blowing out their candles the student is asked how they want their happy birthday song sung. This is where things get interesting. While some students choose the traditional tune for their song, others request that it be sung in a different language, whispered, sung like a robot, or even sung backwards.